Wheel



(No Model.)

WHEEL.

Patented Apr. 26

UNITED STATns FATnNT @stica ANDREW J. VANDEGRIFT, OF S'l. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

WHEEL.

SPEOIFICATON forming part of Letters Patent No. 602,999, dated April 26, 1898. Application filed February 8, 1897. Serial o. 622,52`Ol'. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, ANDREW J. VANDE- GR'LFT, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wheels, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to wheels having rigid rims, flexible tires, and springs interposed between their respective tires and rims 5 and the chief objects of my improvements are, first, to provide improved tire-springs; second, to so combine, couple, and arrange ,the springs as to furnish the tire with a support combininggreatstrength,lightness,elasticity, quickness of recovery, and durability; third, to provide improved means for securing the springs to the rim and tire, respectively, and, fourth, to improve the rim. I attain these objects by mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of a wheel embodying my improvements in their preferred forms. Fig. 2 is a detailed view in perspective, on an enlarged scale, ofapair of my improved springs coupledtogether to form an elastic truss. Fig. Sis adetailed view, in side elevation, on the same scale, of a section of said wheel. Fig. l is a vertical transverse section on line e 4, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detailed plan view, on an enlarged scale, of a section of the tire. Fig. 6 is a detailed plan view, on the samescale, of a section of the rim. Fig. 7 is a detailed bottom view, on a smaller scale, of the preferred form of springtruss. Fig. S is a transverse section of the preferred form of rim on line e 4, Fig. 3, with the spoke-nut removed. Fig. S) is a detailed view, on an enlarged scale, of a spring of the preferred form. Fig. 10 is a detailed view showing the parts of a spring-truss of the preferred form assembled in a former ready to be soldered together. Fig. 11 is a cross-section of a wire such as I use in the construction of my springs. Fig. 12 is a cross-section online 12 l2, Fig. 9, on an enlarged scale, showing the final shape in cross-section of the preferred form of spring. Fig. 13 is a detailed transverse view of a modification. Fig. 141 is aview of a detail of a modification, and Fig. 15 is a side elevation of a spring like those shown in Fig. 13.

brass or steel can be soldered.

Similar letters refer to similar parts th rougir out the several views.

The wheel shown in the drawings has a body composed of a hub A, a rim B, and spokes C, and is of the suspension type. My improvements are applicable, however, to wheels of other types.

No particular form of rim is essential, and it may be made of either of the materials heretofore used, but its outer face t is preferably fiat, and I prefer to use a rim composed of a core b of a light and strong` material-such as wood, paper, or an alloy of aluminium and a waterproof casing of a metal to which I prefer to form the casing of two pieces-viz., an outer piece h2 and an inner strip 12S-which after being pnt in place are preferably soldered together. The top of the rim preferably contains a series of indentations or recesses b4 along its edges,and in the type of wheel shown the wheel is preferably pierced by perforations b5, which are lined by eyelets b", whose heads hl are preferably soldered to the casin g, so as to make .a tight joint. A rim thus formed is very strong for its weight, and its casing is not only impervious to water, but offers a surface to which springs can be readily attached bysoldering. Ialso use an ordinary wooden rim, however-suoli, for instance, as is shown in Figs. 3 and 13 of the drawingsand secure the springs in place without solder, and do not wish to be confined to a rim having a metal sheath or a rim of any special construction.

The spokes C are preferably secured to the rim by means of nuts o, passing inward through the eyelets h6 and having heads c', which rest upon the outer heads of the eyelets.

The rim B is surrounded by a 'flexible tire D, preferably, but not necessarily, formed of leather, and preferably containing upon its face along its edges a series of recesses or indentations d.

Between the rim and tire I insert a series of what I term return-bend springs, each having at least two return-bends therein, and in the form E (shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, and 10) preferably having four such bends e. From the inner end or bearing-point e of the elastic or operative portion of the spring E an IOO arm e2 preferably extends inward and preferably terminates at the opposite endof the spring in a downwardly-curving hook e3, whose tip e4 is preferably flattened to facilitate soldering, and from the outer end or bear ing-point e5 of the spring an arm epreferably extends to the opposite end of the spring and preferably terminates in an upwardly-curv ing hook e7. The arms e2 and e are prefer ably parallel. The bearing-pointse and e5 may either be at opposite ends of the spring, as in the springs represented in Figs. 2, 3, 4i, 7, 9, and 10, or at the same end as in the modification represented in Figs. 13 and 15. In the manufacture of said preferred form of return-bend spring round wire is preferably used, and after being bent into the shape shown in Fig. 9 its sides may be, but are not necessarily, iiattened by a drop-hammer or other suitable means, so as to give the wire the oblong shape in cross-section shown in Fig. 12 and make it thicker from top to bottom than from side to side. This gives the spring greater strength in proportion to its weight than a spring round in cross-section possesses. Springs of this kind may be combined in various ways, butI prefer to arrange them side by side transversely between the rim and tire in pairs and to arrange the members of each pair oppositely-that is, with the respective bearing-points of each opposite the corresponding bearing-points of the other. I prefer that the springs should be substantially alike, so that when arrangedoppositely the bends in kone member of a pair will come opposite the corresponding ben ds in the other member. Ialso preferably arrange the members of each pair of springs at opposite angles to planes radiating from the axis of the wheel and preferably so that they slant away from each other from the rim outward, as shown most clearlyin Figs. 1 and 3. This gives the entire series what maybe termed a zigzag arrangement. Not only are the members of each pair of springs preferably arranged oppositely,but this arrangement preferably runs through the entire series of springs used in each wheel, the bearing-points of each spring each preferably being at a side of the Wheel opposite the one at which the corresponding bearing-point of each of the two adjoining springs between which it is placed is located.

vThe members of each pair of springs are preferably coupled together, so as to form an elastic truss F. This is preferably effected by bending a piece of sheet metal around the inner arms e2, so as to form a sheath f, and then soldering the arms and sheath together and by bending lthe end edges of a larger piece of sheet metal over the outer arms eG of the springs, so as to form a yoke f', and then soldering said arms to the yoke. The soldering is preferably done in a form G, in which the parts of the truss are assembled, as shown in Fig. 10. The yoke f should preferably be substantially rigid, so as to hold the arms e6 the proper distance apart under all circumstances.

In Fig. 9 the spring E shown is represented as having a series of parallel arms; but when in place in a wheel and arranged at an incline the arms of these springs are preferably bent out of their original parallel position into a zigzag one in order to get the hooks attached to the springs at right angles to the rim and tire, respectively, as shown, and to enable said arms to pass each other freely when the spring is compressed. This preferred distortion of the springs when arranged at an ineline appears clearly in t-he trusses shown in Figs. 2, 3, 7, and 10 and gives the arms of each spring what I term a zigzag arrangementthat is, they have a zigzag appearance between bearing-points when viewed from above-and when I speak of the arms of a spring being arranged in a zigzag manner I desire to be understood as referring to the `distortion above described. f

When I speak of return-bend springs, I wish to be understood as including springs distorted in this wayand not as con iinin g myself to springs whose bends are in the same plane or whose arms are parallel.

In a truss of the form above described there are but two hooks e7. They are at opposite ends of the truss and are preferably rigidly soldered by the yoke and afford a sufficient means of attachment to the tire ordinarily; but where means of attachment of unusual strength are required Iprefer to inelose within each int-urned end edge of the yoke, alongside of the inner end of an arm e6, the inner end of an additional hook es, substantially as shown in Fig. 14, and to solder the hook to the arm e(i and the yoke. Ordinarily the hooks es are unnecessary and, because they increase the weight of the wheel, undesirable.

Instead of the springs E described other forms of return-bend spring may be usedas, for instance, the return-bend spring II. (Shown in Figs. 13 and 15.) The spring II differs from the spring E chiefly in being bent into a spiral 7i., preferably at each turningpoint, instead of making a simply U-shaped bend, and in being preferably given a shape which, when its arms h' and h2 are included, closely resembles the letter M, as shown most clearly in Fig. 15, instead of the shape shown in Fig. 9. Its arms 7i and h2 are preferably respectively provided with hooks h3 and 7L, which correspond to the hooks e3 and e7 of the spring E. A return-bend spring having one or more spiral bends between bearing-points has an important advantage over a returnbend spring in which allthe bends are U- shaped when used as a tire-spring. This advantage consists in the fact that the spirals are not lonly useful in giving strength and elasticity to the spring, but act as stops when the spring is greatly compressed and prevent overco'inpression and those injuries to the spring which overcompression is liable to IOO IIO

cause. I preferably spring the trusses, when formed, into position between the rim and tire at points Where the inner ends of the hooks in which their lower arms e2 or h', as the case may be, terminate will rest in the recesses or indentations h4 of the rim and the outer ends of the hooks e7 or h4 will rest in indentations or recesses d in the tire, and I clamp the hooks e3 or hJ at each end of the truss firmly around the adjacent edge of the rim, so as to cause it to grip the rim firmly, substantially as shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 13, while the hooks el or h4 grip the edges of the tire in the same way. In order to facilitate getting the trusses in place, the hooks at one end ot each truss may be partially straightened out before inserting the truss in position Vand subsequently bent around the edges to be thereby embraced. When the hooks of the truss are made to grip the rim and tire in the manner described, they secure the trusses firmly in place; but I prefer not to rely entirely upon their ability to maintain the positions of the trusses without any additional fastening and preferably solder the ends of the hooks e3 or h' to the rim of the wheel, which I am able to do where a rim of the preferred kind is used. The hooks e7 or h4 are next caused to embrace the edges of the tireD with their ends in the recesses d, as shown most clearly in Fig. 4, and where hooks e8 form a part of the truss they also are caused to grip the edges of the ti re. When the parts are in position, the tire is attached to the rim bythe trusses F and is given a firm support by the yokes f of the trusses F. The trusses are preferably disconnected except by the rim and tire, and the tire bends between them.

I have described the preferred forms of my improvements, but do not wish my claims to be confined thereto, as other forms may be substituted for those shown Without departing from the essence of my improvements.

Where I speak of wheels, I desire to be understood as including pulleys, as well as all other forms of wheels.

I claiml. The combination in a wheel of a rim; a exible tire; and a series of return-bend springs, each having one or more spirals between bearingpoints,whose axes are substantially parallel with the nearest portion of the tire and said springs being arranged side by side between the rim and tire and said spirals answering as stops.

2. The combination of a flexible strip; and a series of return-bend springs for cushioning it arranged side by side with corresponding bearing-points alternating from one side to the other.

3. The combination of' a strip of flexible material and a series of return-bend springs arranged transversely and inclined alternately. first to one side thereof, then the otherl and forming a zigzag series.

4. The combination of astrip of flexible material and a series of laterally-inclined returnbend springs with zigzag arms between bearing-points, arranged side by side for cushioning the strip.

5; The combination of a strip of liexible material and a series of return-bend springs arranged transversely side by side and laterally inclined, for cushioning said strip, with corresponding bearing-points alternating from side to side.

6. The combination in a wheel, of a rim; a iiexible tire, and a series of return-bend springs arranged transversely side by side between the rim and tire, with corresponding bearing-'points of the members of the series alternating from one side of the wheel to the other; and said springs being laterally inclined alternately first to one side thereof and then the other, and forming a zigzag series attaching the rim and tire together.

7. The combination in a wheel, of a rim, a flexible tire; a series of return-bend springs having zigzag arms between bearing-points, arranged side by side, and laterally inclined, between the rim and tire; and means securing said springs to the rim and tire, substantially as described.

8. The combination in a wheel, of a rim; a flexible tire; and a series of lreturn-bendspring trusses arranged side by side between the rim and tire.

9. The combination in a wheel of a rim; a iiexible tire; and a series of return-bendspring trusses, arranged side by side transversely between the rim and tire and soldered t0 the rim.

10. The combination in a Wheel, of a rim;

a flexible tire; and a series of returnbendA spring trusses with the springs thereof inclining away from each other and joined at their tops by a rigid yoke, and said trusses being arranged transversely between said rim and tire, with their respective yokes toward the tire.

Il. The combination in a wheel, of a rim; a flexible tire; and a series of returnbend spring trusses with the springs of each truss inclinin g away from each other laterally from bottom to top and joined at their tops by a rigid yoke; and said tire resting upon the truss-yolzes; and said trusses being soldered to the rim.A

l2. The combination in a wheel, of a rim;

a flexible tire; and a series of spring-trusses arranged transversely between the rim and tire; each of said trusses consisting of two returnebend springs arranged oppositely, side by side in a triangular form and approaching closely and having their abutting arms surrounded at the apex of the triangle by a sheath to which and to each other they are soldered; and their outer arms at the base of the triangle being secured together by a rigid yoke t0 which they are soldered.

13. The combination in a wheel, of a rim; a flexible tire; and a series of return-bendspring trusses each having a hook at each end at top and bottom; and said truss being arranged transversely between the rim and tire, with the top hooks of the trusses embracing the edges oi' the tire and the bottom hooks, the edges of the rim.

14. The combination in a wheel,of a rim;

ra flexible tire; and a series of return-bendspring trusses, with the springs of each trussr inclined away from each other laterally from bottom to top and joined together at top by a yoke; and each truss having a hook at each end -at top and bottom; and said trusses being arranged transversely between the tire and rim with the tire supported by their springs and yokes and their top hooks embracing the edges of the tire and their bottom hooks the edges of the rim.

15. The combination in a wheel of a rim; a exible tire and a series of return-bendspring trusses, with the springs ot each truss inclined away from each other laterally from bottom to top and joined together at the top by a yoke; and each truss having a hook at each end at top and bottom and said trusses being arranged transversely between the tire and rim withthe tire supported upon their springs and yokes and their top hooks embracing the edges of the tire and their bottom hooks embracing the edges of the rim and said bottom hooks being soldered to the rim.

16. The combination in a wheel, of a rim; a eXible tire; and a series of spring-trusses arranged transversely between the rim and f tire and each having its springs inclined away from each other laterally and joined at their most widely separated parts by a yoke and each having a hook at each corner of the yoke, and at the opposite extremity ot the truss, a hook at each end and the hooks at the bottom of the truss embracing the edges of the rim, and those at the top of the truss embracing the edges of the tire.

17. The combination of a pair of returnbend springs each having one or more spirals between bearin g-points,with transverse openings and said springs being arranged side by side with their respective correspondin g bearing-points at opposite ends; and means for connecting said springs together and holding them in position and said spirals answering as stops.

18. The combination in a wheel of a rim; a tire; and a series of return-bend supportingsprings each having a spiral whose aXis is substantially parallel with the portion of the tire which it supports and which springs are arranged transversely side by side between t-he rim and tire, and each spring having its spiral at a side of the wheel opposite the side on which the corresponding spirals of the adjoining springs appear, and said spirals answering as stops.

19. The combination in a wheel of a rim; a tire; and a series of return-bend springs arranged between the rim and tire, transversely, side by side and inclined laterally to the right and left alternately, and said springs being' attached to the rim and tire and holding the latter in position and each spring having at one end thereof a spiral whose axis is substantially parallel with the portion of the tire which such spring supports and said spirals acting as stops.

20. The combination of a pair of returnbend springs, arranged side by side, at an angle to a central vertical plane between them; and means for yoking them together at top and bottom and so forming a spring-truss, substantially as described. f

2l. The combination of a pair of returnbend springs arranged side by side, at an angle to a central vertical plane between them, means for yoking them together at top and bottom and so forming a spring-truss; a hook at the top, and a hook at the bottom of the truss substantially as described.

22. The combination of a pair of returnbend springs arranged oppositely side by side at an angle to a central plane means for holding them in position at the top and bottom and four hooks where the springs are most widely separated substantially as described.

23. The combination of a spring-truss F, composed of a pair of return-bend springs arranged oppositely side by side at an angle to each other a sheath embracing the apex of the truss and soldered thereto, and a yoke soldered to the springs at the base of the truss.

24:. The combination in a spring-truss of a pair of return-bend springs arranged side by side at an angle to each other and each spring having its arms arranged between bearingpoints in a zigzag manner.

25. The combination ot a tiexible article and a series of return-bend-sprin g trusses with the springs of each truss arranged side by side at an angle to each other and with their respective arms between bearing-points arranged in a zigzag manner.

26. The combination in a wheel, of a rim; a tire; and a series of return-bend springs arranged between the rim and tire,transversely, side by side and inclined laterally to the right, and left alternately; and said springs being attached to the rim and tire and holding the latter in position.

ANDREW J. VANDEGRIFT.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR' D.` GREENE, BENJ. F. REX. 

